Labor politicians flock to Sky News in a strategic approach to reach a wider audience

Labor politicians are swarming to Sky News to push their agendas, quashing a common criticism of the left that the station is only for conservatives.

Labor MP Richard Marles: ‘There is a view that those who watch Sky don’t vote for Labor, but I have long said we have to be talking to the widest audience possible.’

Labor politicians are more frequently appearing on Foxtel’s Sky News in a strategic move by the party to push their agendas into what the Left often argue is a channel dominated by conservatives, both in terms of hosts and viewers.

Sky News chief executive officer Paul Whittaker describes the station as “the wallpaper in Canberra, we are on in every office” – regardless of political allegiance.

“We run lots of progressive voices and, I would argue, far more than the ABC ever runs a conservative voice.”

“We’ve always invited politicians of both persuasions on … politicians not appearing has not been because they have not been invited.

“The people who appear in our night-time programming include Richo (Labor stalwart Graham Richardson), former Julia Gillard staffer and Deputy Lord Mayor of Melbourne Nicholas Reece, former Labor cabinet minister Stephen Conroy and Joel Fitzgibbon.”

Federal deputy Labor leader Richard Marles co-hosted a political commentary program on Sky News with former Liberal MP Christopher Pyne until 2019 and now appears on the channel weekly.

“Sky is a premium news outlet which discusses the issues of the day and understands and reports on politics like no other news station,” Mr Marles said.

“There is a view that those who watch Sky don’t vote for Labor, but I have long said we have to be talking to the widest audience possible.”

Other state and federal Labor MPs who frequently appear on Sky across day and night include Chris Minns, Tony Burke, Mark Butler and Patrick Gorman.

Labor MP Tanya Pliberse.

Federal NSW Labor MP Tanya Plibersek often appears on Alan Jones’ weeknight show and said the station is a vital platform for strong debate.

“What’s the point of only speaking to people who agree with you?” she said.

“To win elections, we have to convince a majority of Australians that we have the best ideas and policies.

“Robust, respectful debate is good for our democracy and I wish there was more of it.”

She praised the channel’s presenters and journalists and said they have “some of the most balanced, fair-minded media pros around”.

Labor MP Bill Shorten is another federal Labor MP who has been on Sky frequently, particularly since his shock loss as opposition leader in the 2019 federal election.

He said “every outlet counts” and he has been on evening programs including those hosted by Jones, Peta Credlin and Andrew Bolt.

“I believe in being in the persuasion business – in prosecuting Labor’s argument and reaching out to Australian voters wherever we can find them,” Mr Shorten said.

Evening presenter Alan Jones said he features Labor politicians at both federal and state level, including Clare O’Neil, Terri Butler, Michelle Rowland, former Labor MP now One Nation MP Mark Latham, and Richardson.

“There is a mistaken perception that we are out there supporting the Coalition … I am critical of the government and opposition if I believe the policy positions deserve that criticism,” he said.

“I believe we have to hear the other side – an exchange is very healthy since the politicians are mostly in a panel situation, it’s a contest of ideas and people can then make up their own mind.”

The channel’s viewership numbers have continued to grow in recent years – in 2020 Sky was the number one channel on Foxtel for the first time in its 25-year history with ratings soaring during the Covid-19 pandemic.